From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Statutory Limit on the Public Debt / Budget Control Act of 2011 The maximum amount, established in law, of public debt that can be outstanding. The debt limit covers virtually all debt incurred by the Federal Government (primarily the Treasury Department), including borrowing from trust … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Frank / Franking Privilege A member’s facsimile signature, which is used on envelopes in lieu of stamps, for the member’s official outgoing mail. The “franking privilege” is the right to send mail postage-free. The congressional franking privilege, which dates from 1775, allows Members of Congress … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Date Shifting / Fiscal Transparency / Fiscal Illusion One of the budgetary maneuvers used by Congress. Congress can shift scheduled payments for contracts, or even for federal employee salaries, by a few days in order to move expenditures from one fiscal year to another. For … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Quorum Call A call of the roll to establish whether a quorum is present — 218 in the House and 100 in the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union; a quorum in the Senate is 51. If any senator “suggests … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Enacting Clause Key phrase in bills beginning “Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives . . .” A successful motion to strike it from legislation kills the measure. 1 USC § 101 specifies: The enacting clause of all Acts of Congress shall … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Petition A request or plea sent to one or both chambers from an organization or private citizens’ group asking support of, or opposition to, particular legislation or favorable consideration of a matter not yet receiving congressional attention. Petitions are referred to appropriate committees. Petitions are … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Hold An informal practice by which a senator informs her floor leader that she does not wish a particular bill or other measure to reach the floor for consideration. The Majority Leader need not follow the senator’s wishes but is on notice that the opposing … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Joint Committee Committees including membership from both the House and the Senate. A joint committee may be investigative or research oriented. Joint committees are usually established with narrow jurisdictions and normally lack authority to report legislation. As of 2018 only five joint committees remain: Joint … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Special Session A session of Congress after it has adjourned sine die, completing its regular session. The president convenes special sessions (Article. II. Section. 3.). Also see Lame Duck; Terms of Congress; § 5.30, Terms and Sessions of Congress, in Congressional Deskbook. US Congress … Read more
From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Veto A veto is the disapproval by the president of a bill or joint resolution passed by Congress (other than a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment). After both chambers of Congress have passed a bill, it is enrolled, then is sent to the president … Read more